Their manager was born with Spina Bifida and is a right leg amputee, and the club founder also has learning disabilities.

But Skem Men-Aces still want to put something back into the community.

The group of 30 fiercely enthusiastic footballers raised £1,300 from a sponsored truck pull for Alder Hey’s Imagine Appeal and their own club coffers.

And they are now in the process of setting up a hardship fund to assist some of their players who come from deprived backgrounds – suppyling boots, trainers, shin pads and other equipment where required.

Carl Eaton is the manager and he explained how the Men-Aces came into being.

“I worked for social sevices for 15 years, supporting people with learning disabilities, but having been born with Spina Bifida and a right leg amputee, I was forced to medically retire.

“At first it was a novelty, but the rut quickly set in until my brother, Harry, came to the rescue.

“Harry is 12-months younger than me and was born with learning disabilities. He lives independently with the support of Mencap and during one Sunday afternoon visit he asked if I could get a learning disability football team together.

“I came home, spoke to my wife and quickly realised we were on to something very very special.

“We sent out hundreds of posters to every venue where we knew people with learning disabilities met, announced our intentions to the local Mencap mag, local papers and radio, set up a meeting and, to our surprise, the turnout was amazing. That night the name Skem Men-Aces was born.”

Backed by local businesses, it was the energy and commitment of local haulier Roy Caine which took the Men-Aces onto a different level.

“Roy has been a giant for us,” added Carl. “He regularly donates football memorabilia and provides the club with celebrities for our fundraising events.

“He also enlisted the support of Everton. Bill Kenwright very generously made the lads guest of honour to his very own performance of Scrooge the Musical at the Empire.

“We had the best seats in the house. A lot of our lads had never exper- ienced live theatre before and were totaly wrapped up in the occasion.”

The Men-Aces play regular friendlies against the Police, the Fire Service and local community groups – and last year were awarded The Disability Inclusion Award, while Carl’s 13-year-old daughter, Samantha, received an Unsung Hero Award for her work in putting the lads through their paces at each training session.

The Men-Aces recently won their first away match and have now become affiliated to the Liverpool FA.

l Anybody interested in playing for, supporting, or sponsoring Skem Men-Aces should contact Carl Eaton on 01695-633139 or 07506 458 716. Or simply visit the website on www.skemmen-aces.org.uk.

The article is dedicated to Ste Leaman, “May you rest in peace, The Men-Aces.”